FAQ: KA-BAR Knife - Strap too Short

The problem is the KA-BAR nylon straps on the hard sheaths sometimes will not close on the metal snaps.
This problem is commonly seen on the KA-1245, Black Tanto with synthetic glass filled nylon sheath.
We fix this problem all the time in the KPI retail store. It is simple to fix.
You will only need a bottle of Isopropyl or Rubbing Alcohol and a little patience.
Get a bottle and wet your finger to apply to the strap. You could just pour the Alcohol, but that is a little messy.

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Wet the strap

Apply a generous amount to the strap, in fact get it pretty wet.

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Hold the strap at attachment

Hold the strap firmly with your thumb, at it's attachment point, at the back of the sheath.

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Stretch the strap slow and easy.

While holding the strap firmly, at it's attachment point at the back of the sheath,
slowly pull and twist the strap. You may have to wet the strap one or two more times
and repeat the stretch and twisting motion.

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Pull the strap tight, angle and lever the snap - and close.

Once the strap has been stretched, slowly pull the snap into position to snap. It helps if you angle the snap catching one side of the male snap on the edge of the female snap and then push the female snap over into position, using the angle as a lever.

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Strap is streached and snapped.

Once the strap has been snapped, allow it to fully dry. Once the strap has been stretched and dryed in place it generally will stay stretched. It should not present the problem again. This same technique can also be used on the top straps and with any style sheath nylon or leather. If you need to stretch leather be sure to fully wash your hands before starting so as not to discolor the leather with oil from your hands.

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